Page 42 of Family Secrets

“Dad’s dead, Ma.” Gino interrupted his knuckles wrapped around the steering wheel turning white from his grip. He hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that, but his emotions were all over the place as reality set in.

“Oh my…” Chiara breathed, knowing this day would one day come, yet she still wasn’t prepared. “I’m so sorry, sweet boy.”

“Don’t be, he was horrible to you.”

“But he was still your father. As much as I hated him, he gave me you.”

“I'm sorry, Ma. I don’t mean to be disrespectful.”

“You’re entitled to grieve in your own way, Giovanni. Let me get a few things together and your sister and I will fly out as soon as we can.”

Relieved, Gino lessened his grip. “Thank you, Ma.”

“For what, Son?”

“For putting me first, coming here even though the chance is high you will see Barbara again.”

“You let me worry about Barbara. Much to her chagrin, Jonathan was still legally my husband. Something his death guarantees she will never have.”

“Call me when you’re in the air.” Gino started as he crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. “And Ma?”

“Yes, Gino?”

“I have news to share with you about Nicole and Emilio.”

“Has she been found?”

Gino hated to crush the excitement in his mother’s voice. “Sadly no, but this isn’t something I want to say over the phone. Just get here, it’s something you have to see to believe.”

Ending the call with his mother, Gino pushed the gas pedal to the floor, he needed to get to Elizabeth, see for himself she was okay. Standing outside her door, he knew he could use his key and walk in, but he needed to show her he respected her, showing her how unlike his father he was.

When Elizabeth finally opened the door, her sleepy eyes taking him in, Gino lost the battle with his emotions. Pushing the door open, he took her face between his palms, slamming her against the wall as he kicked the door closed.

“I need you, Elizabeth.”

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